I was in a conversation recently which turned in the direction of serpents, and not the two-legged kind. I’ve never had to shoot a human being, but have found it necessary on occasion to dispatch poisonous snakes. Each time that happened, I was VERY glad to have a pistol on my person.
What’s the collective experience out there? I’m no herpetologist, but I keep hearing from folks who live in rattlesnake country that today’s rattlers have learned to keep silent and not give warning before they strike. True?
Please share experiences here.
My group had to dispatch 5 large rattlers recently, on a SD pheasant hunt. All of these serpents were stumbled upon, aggressive and not made much of a warning sound. We were hunting with dogs, in corn and millet fields, and we were making some noise but not enough we should have heard these critters. in every case they either struck a dog, tried to strike a hunter or took an aggressive posture and made no effort to retreat. Each took a load to the face of #6 shot from a 12ga… some took two, none recovered.
Fortunately for us the dog recovered completely and no humans were harmed although one or two may have flirted with a pucker check disaster….
My group had to dispatch 5 large rattlers recently, on a SD pheasant hunt. All of these serpents were stumbled upon, aggressive and not made much of a warning sound. We were hunting with dogs, in corn and millet fields, and we were making some noise but not enough we should have heard these critters. in every case they either struck a dog, tried to strike a hunter or took an aggressive posture and made no effort to retreat. Each took a load to the face of #6 shot from a 12ga… some took two, none recovered.
Fortunately for us the dog recovered completely and no humans were harmed although one or two may have flirted with a pucker check disaster….
My group had to dispatch 5 large rattlers recently, on a SD pheasant hunt. All of these serpents were stumbled upon, aggressive and not made much of a warning sound. We were hunting with dogs, in corn and millet fields, and we were making some noise but not enough we should have heard these critters. in every case they either struck a dog, tried to strike a hunter or took an aggressive posture and made no effort to retreat. Each took a load to the face of #6 shot from a 12ga… some took two, none recovered.
Fortunately for us the dog recovered completely and no humans were harmed although one or two may have flirted with a pucker check disaster….
My group had to dispatch 5 large rattlers recently, on a SD pheasant hunt. All of these serpents were stumbled upon, aggressive and not made much of a warning sound. We were hunting with dogs, in corn and millet fields, and we were making some noise but not enough we should have heard these critters. in every case they either struck a dog, tried to strike a hunter or took an aggressive posture and made no effort to retreat. Each took a load to the face of #6 shot from a 12ga… some took two, none recovered.
Fortunately for us the dog recovered completely and no humans were harmed although one or two may have flirted with a pucker check disaster….
My philosophy has always been to be noisy enough that any nearby snakes will sense me and get out of my way. I remember some map reading courses in the swamps around Ft. Benning, GA where I counted about 50 water moccasins during the daylight part of the exercise. Of course, since it was military training, no ammo was available. The part that was really scary was the night course!
I’ve lived in the desert southwest for the last 40 years and have encountered a few rattlesnakes. Some rattle and some don’t.
My philosophy has always been to be noisy enough that any nearby snakes will sense me and get out of my way. I remember some map reading courses in the swamps around Ft. Benning, GA where I counted about 50 water moccasins during the daylight part of the exercise. Of course, since it was military training, no ammo was available. The part that was really scary was the night course!
I’ve lived in the desert southwest for the last 40 years and have encountered a few rattlesnakes. Some rattle and some don’t.
My philosophy has always been to be noisy enough that any nearby snakes will sense me and get out of my way. I remember some map reading courses in the swamps around Ft. Benning, GA where I counted about 50 water moccasins during the daylight part of the exercise. Of course, since it was military training, no ammo was available. The part that was really scary was the night course!
I’ve lived in the desert southwest for the last 40 years and have encountered a few rattlesnakes. Some rattle and some don’t.
30 years studying reptiles here. It’s a form of natural selection. Here is how it works.
In a given population, not all rattlesnakes rattle. Some are more calm than others. As you illustrate, in areas frequented by humans, the nervous ones that rattle get killed. The calm/quiet ones live, and pass on their calm genes.
Over 20 years the population of Southern pacific rattlesnakes in one local canyon popular with hikers when from lots of nasty b@stards to almost none that rattle. The local people think they all got killed off. They are still there. When a herper goes in, we find them, in good numbers. But they don’t rattle. In just a few generations this canyon went from many snakes that rattled to almost none. All thru a form of accelerated evolution, caused by humans.
30 years studying reptiles here. It’s a form of natural selection. Here is how it works.
In a given population, not all rattlesnakes rattle. Some are more calm than others. As you illustrate, in areas frequented by humans, the nervous ones that rattle get killed. The calm/quiet ones live, and pass on their calm genes.
Over 20 years the population of Southern pacific rattlesnakes in one local canyon popular with hikers when from lots of nasty b@stards to almost none that rattle. The local people think they all got killed off. They are still there. When a herper goes in, we find them, in good numbers. But they don’t rattle. In just a few generations this canyon went from many snakes that rattled to almost none. All thru a form of accelerated evolution, caused by humans.
30 years studying reptiles here. It’s a form of natural selection. Here is how it works.
In a given population, not all rattlesnakes rattle. Some are more calm than others. As you illustrate, in areas frequented by humans, the nervous ones that rattle get killed. The calm/quiet ones live, and pass on their calm genes.
Over 20 years the population of Southern pacific rattlesnakes in one local canyon popular with hikers when from lots of nasty b@stards to almost none that rattle. The local people think they all got killed off. They are still there. When a herper goes in, we find them, in good numbers. But they don’t rattle. In just a few generations this canyon went from many snakes that rattled to almost none. All thru a form of accelerated evolution, caused by humans.
30 years studying reptiles here. It’s a form of natural selection. Here is how it works.
In a given population, not all rattlesnakes rattle. Some are more calm than others. As you illustrate, in areas frequented by humans, the nervous ones that rattle get killed. The calm/quiet ones live, and pass on their calm genes.
Over 20 years the population of Southern pacific rattlesnakes in one local canyon popular with hikers when from lots of nasty b@stards to almost none that rattle. The local people think they all got killed off. They are still there. When a herper goes in, we find them, in good numbers. But they don’t rattle. In just a few generations this canyon went from many snakes that rattled to almost none. All thru a form of accelerated evolution, caused by humans.
@Jack Finch. where in Colo do you see western diamondbacks? They aren’t recorded there…… yet!
@Jack Finch. where in Colo do you see western diamondbacks? They aren’t recorded there…… yet!
@Jack Finch. where in Colo do you see western diamondbacks? They aren’t recorded there…… yet!
Mas, I just read the same thing (quiet rattlesnakes) on a travel blog! I think you may be onto something. (I hate snakes, and have had a lot of close calls). Now if deer can just learn to avoid automobiles!!
Mas, I just read the same thing (quiet rattlesnakes) on a travel blog! I think you may be onto something. (I hate snakes, and have had a lot of close calls). Now if deer can just learn to avoid automobiles!!
Mas, I just read the same thing (quiet rattlesnakes) on a travel blog! I think you may be onto something. (I hate snakes, and have had a lot of close calls). Now if deer can just learn to avoid automobiles!!
Mas, I just read the same thing (quiet rattlesnakes) on a travel blog! I think you may be onto something. (I hate snakes, and have had a lot of close calls). Now if deer can just learn to avoid automobiles!!
I’ve only had to shoot two poisonous snakes within striking range. The first was a two foot long coral snake at approx. 8 feet. When I noticed it’s red bands were next to the yellow, without black in between, I used the Ruger M77 in .458 Magnum in my hands to blast it. The 500 grain bullet at 2000 fps stopped the reptile in it’s tracks. The second was a 5 1/2 foot long eastern diamondback at the same distance. It was coiled and ready to strike but made no sound. I had an AR-15 carbine that time and remembered to aim a couple of inches high above it head with the iron sights. The little 55 grain bullet at that close range turned the snake’s head to mush. The rattles were approx. 4 inches long. I always wear my leather snake boots in the woods.
I’ve only had to shoot two poisonous snakes within striking range. The first was a two foot long coral snake at approx. 8 feet. When I noticed it’s red bands were next to the yellow, without black in between, I used the Ruger M77 in .458 Magnum in my hands to blast it. The 500 grain bullet at 2000 fps stopped the reptile in it’s tracks. The second was a 5 1/2 foot long eastern diamondback at the same distance. It was coiled and ready to strike but made no sound. I had an AR-15 carbine that time and remembered to aim a couple of inches high above it head with the iron sights. The little 55 grain bullet at that close range turned the snake’s head to mush. The rattles were approx. 4 inches long. I always wear my leather snake boots in the woods.
I’ve only had to shoot two poisonous snakes within striking range. The first was a two foot long coral snake at approx. 8 feet. When I noticed it’s red bands were next to the yellow, without black in between, I used the Ruger M77 in .458 Magnum in my hands to blast it. The 500 grain bullet at 2000 fps stopped the reptile in it’s tracks. The second was a 5 1/2 foot long eastern diamondback at the same distance. It was coiled and ready to strike but made no sound. I had an AR-15 carbine that time and remembered to aim a couple of inches high above it head with the iron sights. The little 55 grain bullet at that close range turned the snake’s head to mush. The rattles were approx. 4 inches long. I always wear my leather snake boots in the woods.
I killed 3 rattlers on opening weekend of bow season (Sept. 27) about an hour south of Abilene (Texas). Two were cozied up inside one of our ground blinds. “Wasted” three 135 grain Gold Dot 38s with head shots from ankle snubbie. Upon cutting open to check out bulge, found a semi-digested rat. Killed another one at camp that evening with a hoe. Pretty typical weekend for late September at hunting lease. Thus far, we have all managed to stay vigilant enough to see them before they nail us. So far.
I killed 3 rattlers on opening weekend of bow season (Sept. 27) about an hour south of Abilene (Texas). Two were cozied up inside one of our ground blinds. “Wasted” three 135 grain Gold Dot 38s with head shots from ankle snubbie. Upon cutting open to check out bulge, found a semi-digested rat. Killed another one at camp that evening with a hoe. Pretty typical weekend for late September at hunting lease. Thus far, we have all managed to stay vigilant enough to see them before they nail us. So far.
I killed 3 rattlers on opening weekend of bow season (Sept. 27) about an hour south of Abilene (Texas). Two were cozied up inside one of our ground blinds. “Wasted” three 135 grain Gold Dot 38s with head shots from ankle snubbie. Upon cutting open to check out bulge, found a semi-digested rat. Killed another one at camp that evening with a hoe. Pretty typical weekend for late September at hunting lease. Thus far, we have all managed to stay vigilant enough to see them before they nail us. So far.
I killed 3 rattlers on opening weekend of bow season (Sept. 27) about an hour south of Abilene (Texas). Two were cozied up inside one of our ground blinds. “Wasted” three 135 grain Gold Dot 38s with head shots from ankle snubbie. Upon cutting open to check out bulge, found a semi-digested rat. Killed another one at camp that evening with a hoe. Pretty typical weekend for late September at hunting lease. Thus far, we have all managed to stay vigilant enough to see them before they nail us. So far.
Are you aware of the Rattlesnake Roundup held annually in Sweetwater TX on the second weekend in March? Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Thousands of live rattlesnakes are gathered from the surrounding plains, brought into Sweetwater to display, then released again:
http://www.sweetwatertexas.org/rattlesnake-round-2014
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/american-festivals/rattlesnake-roundup-photos/
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/american-festivals-project/rattlesnake-roundup
https://www.facebook.com/texasrattlesnakefestival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2OVCiu2pwQ
A very interesting cultural event, great bit of Americana, reminding us that political correctness hasnt infected everywhere yet, and some Americans are not trying to mimic those metrosexuals we see on TV.
To the point of your inquiry: when I attended the Roundup in 2004 I was told by one of the participants that each year they find snakes whose rattles have been removed– apparently deliberately– making them a whole lot more dangerous. An act of random evil, comparable (it seems to me) to the criminal sociopath who poisons a bottle of aspirin then puts it back on the shelf to harm a random innocent victim.
I also met a dog in a bar in Terlingua TX whose face was terribly swollen up: he had been bit by a rattler that morning. His owner (a local) told me that this had happened several times before: dog sees snake, approaches snake, attacks snake, gets bit, recovers and attacks again next time he spots a rattler.
Gotta admire his spirit, if not his judgment!
Bill Stell
Are you aware of the Rattlesnake Roundup held annually in Sweetwater TX on the second weekend in March? Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Thousands of live rattlesnakes are gathered from the surrounding plains, brought into Sweetwater to display, then released again:
http://www.sweetwatertexas.org/rattlesnake-round-2014
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/american-festivals/rattlesnake-roundup-photos/
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/american-festivals-project/rattlesnake-roundup
https://www.facebook.com/texasrattlesnakefestival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2OVCiu2pwQ
A very interesting cultural event, great bit of Americana, reminding us that political correctness hasnt infected everywhere yet, and some Americans are not trying to mimic those metrosexuals we see on TV.
To the point of your inquiry: when I attended the Roundup in 2004 I was told by one of the participants that each year they find snakes whose rattles have been removed– apparently deliberately– making them a whole lot more dangerous. An act of random evil, comparable (it seems to me) to the criminal sociopath who poisons a bottle of aspirin then puts it back on the shelf to harm a random innocent victim.
I also met a dog in a bar in Terlingua TX whose face was terribly swollen up: he had been bit by a rattler that morning. His owner (a local) told me that this had happened several times before: dog sees snake, approaches snake, attacks snake, gets bit, recovers and attacks again next time he spots a rattler.
Gotta admire his spirit, if not his judgment!
Bill Stell
Are you aware of the Rattlesnake Roundup held annually in Sweetwater TX on the second weekend in March? Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Thousands of live rattlesnakes are gathered from the surrounding plains, brought into Sweetwater to display, then released again:
http://www.sweetwatertexas.org/rattlesnake-round-2014
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/american-festivals/rattlesnake-roundup-photos/
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/american-festivals-project/rattlesnake-roundup
https://www.facebook.com/texasrattlesnakefestival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2OVCiu2pwQ
A very interesting cultural event, great bit of Americana, reminding us that political correctness hasnt infected everywhere yet, and some Americans are not trying to mimic those metrosexuals we see on TV.
To the point of your inquiry: when I attended the Roundup in 2004 I was told by one of the participants that each year they find snakes whose rattles have been removed– apparently deliberately– making them a whole lot more dangerous. An act of random evil, comparable (it seems to me) to the criminal sociopath who poisons a bottle of aspirin then puts it back on the shelf to harm a random innocent victim.
I also met a dog in a bar in Terlingua TX whose face was terribly swollen up: he had been bit by a rattler that morning. His owner (a local) told me that this had happened several times before: dog sees snake, approaches snake, attacks snake, gets bit, recovers and attacks again next time he spots a rattler.
Gotta admire his spirit, if not his judgment!
Bill Stell
So yes, as several commenters have noted: All animals– including rattlers– continue to evolve in response to any and all environmental pressures that affect their breeding success. In the ongoing game of evolution, those that leave the most children, prevail.
I’d always unthinkingly assumed that evolution was something that happened way back when, and took thousands of years to happen. But recent research into the human genome has conclusively shown that evolution is happening all the time; and that sometimes it happens on a scale of hundreds rather than thousands of years. Nicholas Wade’s excellent book ‘Before The Dawn: Recovering The Lost History of Our Ancestors’ tells the story and provides the evidence. Great read, highly recommended:
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Dawn-Recovering-History-Ancestors/dp/014303832X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412774859&sr=1-3&keywords=nicholas+wade
So yes: when having rattles ceases to be an evolutionary advantage– when those snakes that don’t rattle survive in significantly greater numbers than those snakes who do– then snakes who rattle will begin to disappear…
Which raises another interesting question regarding us humans: what evolutionary forces present in our world today are shaping future generations?
So yes, as several commenters have noted: All animals– including rattlers– continue to evolve in response to any and all environmental pressures that affect their breeding success. In the ongoing game of evolution, those that leave the most children, prevail.
I’d always unthinkingly assumed that evolution was something that happened way back when, and took thousands of years to happen. But recent research into the human genome has conclusively shown that evolution is happening all the time; and that sometimes it happens on a scale of hundreds rather than thousands of years. Nicholas Wade’s excellent book ‘Before The Dawn: Recovering The Lost History of Our Ancestors’ tells the story and provides the evidence. Great read, highly recommended:
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Dawn-Recovering-History-Ancestors/dp/014303832X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412774859&sr=1-3&keywords=nicholas+wade
So yes: when having rattles ceases to be an evolutionary advantage– when those snakes that don’t rattle survive in significantly greater numbers than those snakes who do– then snakes who rattle will begin to disappear…
Which raises another interesting question regarding us humans: what evolutionary forces present in our world today are shaping future generations?
So yes, as several commenters have noted: All animals– including rattlers– continue to evolve in response to any and all environmental pressures that affect their breeding success. In the ongoing game of evolution, those that leave the most children, prevail.
I’d always unthinkingly assumed that evolution was something that happened way back when, and took thousands of years to happen. But recent research into the human genome has conclusively shown that evolution is happening all the time; and that sometimes it happens on a scale of hundreds rather than thousands of years. Nicholas Wade’s excellent book ‘Before The Dawn: Recovering The Lost History of Our Ancestors’ tells the story and provides the evidence. Great read, highly recommended:
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Dawn-Recovering-History-Ancestors/dp/014303832X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412774859&sr=1-3&keywords=nicholas+wade
So yes: when having rattles ceases to be an evolutionary advantage– when those snakes that don’t rattle survive in significantly greater numbers than those snakes who do– then snakes who rattle will begin to disappear…
Which raises another interesting question regarding us humans: what evolutionary forces present in our world today are shaping future generations?
So yes, as several commenters have noted: All animals– including rattlers– continue to evolve in response to any and all environmental pressures that affect their breeding success. In the ongoing game of evolution, those that leave the most children, prevail.
I’d always unthinkingly assumed that evolution was something that happened way back when, and took thousands of years to happen. But recent research into the human genome has conclusively shown that evolution is happening all the time; and that sometimes it happens on a scale of hundreds rather than thousands of years. Nicholas Wade’s excellent book ‘Before The Dawn: Recovering The Lost History of Our Ancestors’ tells the story and provides the evidence. Great read, highly recommended:
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Dawn-Recovering-History-Ancestors/dp/014303832X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412774859&sr=1-3&keywords=nicholas+wade
So yes: when having rattles ceases to be an evolutionary advantage– when those snakes that don’t rattle survive in significantly greater numbers than those snakes who do– then snakes who rattle will begin to disappear…
Which raises another interesting question regarding us humans: what evolutionary forces present in our world today are shaping future generations?
And also: when we kill rattlers that rattle, are we speeding this process along?
And also: when we kill rattlers that rattle, are we speeding this process along?
At least until the first hard freeze, most of us at our hunting lease sometimes carry .38 or .357 revolvers with the first two or three chambers keyed up with CCI shot loads. But the .38 shot charge is so small and often spreads so quickly (especially out of a snubbie), an effective first shot requires getting much closer to the snake’s head than I care to be. However, FWIW, I had a Glock 36 several years ago that did cycle quite well with the CCI shot loads and the .45 ACP shot charge (in an aluminum bottleneck case – no plastic) allowed placement of a lot more pellets where they needed to be. Quickly. And from a greater distance. 😉
At least until the first hard freeze, most of us at our hunting lease sometimes carry .38 or .357 revolvers with the first two or three chambers keyed up with CCI shot loads. But the .38 shot charge is so small and often spreads so quickly (especially out of a snubbie), an effective first shot requires getting much closer to the snake’s head than I care to be. However, FWIW, I had a Glock 36 several years ago that did cycle quite well with the CCI shot loads and the .45 ACP shot charge (in an aluminum bottleneck case – no plastic) allowed placement of a lot more pellets where they needed to be. Quickly. And from a greater distance. 😉
At least until the first hard freeze, most of us at our hunting lease sometimes carry .38 or .357 revolvers with the first two or three chambers keyed up with CCI shot loads. But the .38 shot charge is so small and often spreads so quickly (especially out of a snubbie), an effective first shot requires getting much closer to the snake’s head than I care to be. However, FWIW, I had a Glock 36 several years ago that did cycle quite well with the CCI shot loads and the .45 ACP shot charge (in an aluminum bottleneck case – no plastic) allowed placement of a lot more pellets where they needed to be. Quickly. And from a greater distance. 😉
At least until the first hard freeze, most of us at our hunting lease sometimes carry .38 or .357 revolvers with the first two or three chambers keyed up with CCI shot loads. But the .38 shot charge is so small and often spreads so quickly (especially out of a snubbie), an effective first shot requires getting much closer to the snake’s head than I care to be. However, FWIW, I had a Glock 36 several years ago that did cycle quite well with the CCI shot loads and the .45 ACP shot charge (in an aluminum bottleneck case – no plastic) allowed placement of a lot more pellets where they needed to be. Quickly. And from a greater distance. 😉
At least until the first hard freeze, most of us at our hunting lease sometimes carry .38 or .357 revolvers with the first two or three chambers keyed up with CCI shot loads. But the .38 shot charge is so small and often spreads so quickly (especially out of a snubbie), an effective first shot requires getting much closer to the snake’s head than I care to be. However, FWIW, I had a Glock 36 several years ago that did cycle quite well with the CCI shot loads and the .45 ACP shot charge (in an aluminum bottleneck case – no plastic) allowed placement of a lot more pellets where they needed to be. Quickly. And from a greater distance. 😉
Some do, some don’t – but either way, I know a long-handled shovel is a go to in Central Texas. I would like, however, to find some rat/snake shot, which seems awful scarce these days, for backup in my .38.
Some do, some don’t – but either way, I know a long-handled shovel is a go to in Central Texas. I would like, however, to find some rat/snake shot, which seems awful scarce these days, for backup in my .38.
I’ve only had to kill three rattlesnakes the last couple of decades. Two were in the yard and dispatched with a shovel. One was blocking a trail and refused to let me and my dogs past. #6 shot solved that issue. None of them rattled. I encounter rattlesnakes a couple times a year hiking trails in and around the Huachuca Mountains. Some rattle, some don’t. Have been able to avoid them so far, but then I do sound like a heard of elephants in the bush. I have seen some hellashly big rattlers that I would hesitate to shoot in fear I might only wing them and then have a fight on my hands.
I’ve only had to kill three rattlesnakes the last couple of decades. Two were in the yard and dispatched with a shovel. One was blocking a trail and refused to let me and my dogs past. #6 shot solved that issue. None of them rattled. I encounter rattlesnakes a couple times a year hiking trails in and around the Huachuca Mountains. Some rattle, some don’t. Have been able to avoid them so far, but then I do sound like a heard of elephants in the bush. I have seen some hellashly big rattlers that I would hesitate to shoot in fear I might only wing them and then have a fight on my hands.
I’ve only had to kill three rattlesnakes the last couple of decades. Two were in the yard and dispatched with a shovel. One was blocking a trail and refused to let me and my dogs past. #6 shot solved that issue. None of them rattled. I encounter rattlesnakes a couple times a year hiking trails in and around the Huachuca Mountains. Some rattle, some don’t. Have been able to avoid them so far, but then I do sound like a heard of elephants in the bush. I have seen some hellashly big rattlers that I would hesitate to shoot in fear I might only wing them and then have a fight on my hands.
I’ve only had to kill three rattlesnakes the last couple of decades. Two were in the yard and dispatched with a shovel. One was blocking a trail and refused to let me and my dogs past. #6 shot solved that issue. None of them rattled. I encounter rattlesnakes a couple times a year hiking trails in and around the Huachuca Mountains. Some rattle, some don’t. Have been able to avoid them so far, but then I do sound like a heard of elephants in the bush. I have seen some hellashly big rattlers that I would hesitate to shoot in fear I might only wing them and then have a fight on my hands.
When we first moved to AZ we camped out a lot. We saw plenty of rattlers. We always took our dog along, never thinking she would have a problem with snakes.
One morning we noticed her slapping at something on the ground with her right front paw…then we saw the snake. It bit that leg at the first joint.
After dispatching the snake we rushed the dog to the Vets office. He didn’t have any anti-venom serum at the moment but phoned the nearby human- type hospital. He had them rush it over for us.
It seems that dogs and humans use the same exact anti-venom and as it was not needed very often he and the hospital traded one vial of it between them. It was their turn to keep it so he had none in his animal clinic at the
moment.
The Vet gave the dog the shot and she recovered just fine. The Vet said that I was lucky that I wasn’t the one that got bitten. Said the anti-venom
would have cost me three times as much, even though it was the same vial and the same amount of it was prescribed, plus the cost of the Hospital ER visit for a human…(Heavy Sigh)…
When we first moved to AZ we camped out a lot. We saw plenty of rattlers. We always took our dog along, never thinking she would have a problem with snakes.
One morning we noticed her slapping at something on the ground with her right front paw…then we saw the snake. It bit that leg at the first joint.
After dispatching the snake we rushed the dog to the Vets office. He didn’t have any anti-venom serum at the moment but phoned the nearby human- type hospital. He had them rush it over for us.
It seems that dogs and humans use the same exact anti-venom and as it was not needed very often he and the hospital traded one vial of it between them. It was their turn to keep it so he had none in his animal clinic at the
moment.
The Vet gave the dog the shot and she recovered just fine. The Vet said that I was lucky that I wasn’t the one that got bitten. Said the anti-venom
would have cost me three times as much, even though it was the same vial and the same amount of it was prescribed, plus the cost of the Hospital ER visit for a human…(Heavy Sigh)…
In North Central MT we have prairie rattlers. Most of the time they don’t rattle is when they are shedding, but not always. Thx for the “heads up” on snake shot in semi-auto’s. We use 22LR snake shot in an old revolver or, depending on circumstances, a .410 shotgun. If they are in the yard or where we’re working we will kill them – out and about not so much since many could have “had us” and didn’t.
In North Central MT we have prairie rattlers. Most of the time they don’t rattle is when they are shedding, but not always. Thx for the “heads up” on snake shot in semi-auto’s. We use 22LR snake shot in an old revolver or, depending on circumstances, a .410 shotgun. If they are in the yard or where we’re working we will kill them – out and about not so much since many could have “had us” and didn’t.
This is rural Alabama. I average 5-10 poisonous snakes each year. Mostly copperheads and cotton mouths, with the occasional rattle snake. My record, so far has been 58 cottonmouths in one summer 3 years ago. This year, so far, 9 cotton mouths, one rattler. I’ve used all gauges of shotguns from 20 to 10 ga. and snake shot in .45ACP and .44mag. High boots are required, don’t put your feet down anyplace you can’t see the ground. In the woods, I let them be. They have a place in nature. Close to the house and in the pond, I shoot them out.
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